Grob Auto Center IL
Credit for photos goes to Mugen_1
"Grob Motor Sales was started in 1933 by Harold W.Grob. His son,
Harold Eugene Grob, became general manager in March 1953 and later became the
owner until ill-health forced his retirement." - Murphysboro, IL - A Pictoral
History, 1843 - 1993.
This building has been a fascination of mine ever since I can remember. It's
like a Ford Thunderbird warehouse. The main showroom holds three of them (more
on that in a bit), and there are about 15 or so more inside the garage, as seen
in the pics.
Out back are more Thunderbirds, a Lincoln MK V, a Chevy Suburban, an Oldsmobile
Cutlass and a delivery van. Next to the white delivery van sat a large brown
International truck with a boom on the back, presumably belonged to some kind of
electric company. Also, there used to be a white Volkswagen Kharman Ghia sitting
next to the green T-Bird for the longest time. Both the VW and the International
have been moved within the last month.
Now for the showroom story. For the last at least 21 years, the red T-Bird and
the almost pristine white T-Bird have been, with the exception of two cats, the
sole residents of the showroom. As of March 7th when these pictures were taken,
a brown T-Bird and a white Chevy Corvair were added. I'm not sure when, I'm not
sure how, I'm not sure by who, and I'm not sure why. I pass this building almost
every day so I notice the smallest of things that change. Anyway, this addition
prompted a return visit, which the pictures at the end show.
My grandma knows the owner's wife, and has tried numerous times to try and get
her to let me in the garage to check it out. However, she has denied every
request, for no adequately explored reason.
No telling what this collection of 'Birds is worth.
I DON'T GIVE OUT LOCATIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE FOR SALE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BUILDINGS ARE STILL STANDING.
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